Monthly Archives: November 2010

Hey all. This very cool new radio show is looking for pitches. Details below.-mia

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Snap Judgment, “Storytelling, with a Beat,” is calling for pitches for five upcoming episodes, listed below.

Snap Judgment tells both character-narrated and producer-narrated, dramatic, first person, true stories and airs on over 85 stations nationwide. Our stories are heavily produced with music and sound effects and need not have a news hook. Pay scale is on par with other national programs.

EpisodesAll In It Together: Go team. Stories about working together, feeling outcast, being accepted, signing-up or going AWOL. Examples include the story of a young man who finds himself at a bar on the night of 9/11 listening to the stories told by emergency workers.

The Wiz: Stories with a Wizard of Oz theme. Think creatively, not just searches for brain, heart and courage, but stories about going home, emerald cities, fake wizards, good witches, tornadoes and your little dog too. Examples include the story of a heart transplant recipient experiencing the memories of his donor.

Tilt: Stories about reaching a tipping point, changing your tune, convincing others, falling from grace, rising to fame, giving-up, standing-up, or more literal stories about tilting, tipping. Examples include the story of a gang of bikers turned born-again evangelicals.

Cha-Ching-999: Stories about the value of a dollar. $9.99, $999.00, $99,900.00. Stories about learning the worth of something, something that’s value changes with time or with events, losing money, finding money, inheriting money, dirty money, money laundering, winning money, greed or generosity. Examples include the story of a robber who returned his victim’s wallet upon learning that his victim was homeless.

Good, part-time contract job for experienced radio producer. Can work from anywhere. Application deadline Dec. 1.-mia

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The World Vision Report, a nationally broadcast, award-winning public radio show, is seeking a seasoned editor for a part-time contract position for one year. We are looking for someone with a minimum of 8 – 10 years of public radio editing experience.

The WVR is an hour-long weekly newsmagazine that focuses on issues of poverty and justice worldwide, with a special emphasis on developing countries. The show tells personal stories of ordinary people through original, sound-rich segments.

Candidates must have excellent editing skills, the ability to present stories in fresh ways, and the willingness to develop collaborative relationships with reporters at different skill levels all over the world. We work mainly with reporters from English-speaking countries who are based abroad, but we’re also committed to cultivating local reporters in developing countries. Experience living and working abroad is a plus, but being well-informed and having an interest in other cultures and places are equally important.

The editor is responsible for contributing story ideas, shaping pieces with reporters, editing scripts, fact-checking and approving final mixes. The editor may also check show scripts, write billboards, review interviews and rough show mixes, and fill in for the show producer or assignment editor as needed. This is a part-time contract position that offers a competitive wage, flexible hours that vary by week, and no need to relocate.

The WVR is funded by the Christian humanitarian organization World Vision. The show values its editorial independence, and the views expressed on the show are not necessarily those of the organization.

The WVR airs on more than 100 public radio stations, and in six years has received a variety of national awards, including Edward R. Murrows, Gracies, Gabriels, New York Festivals and Clarions. To hear the show, go to www.worldvisionreport.org.

Please send a cover letter, resume and audio samples of radio pieces you have edited to: kbaldyga@worldvision.org. Please write “Editor position” in your subject line. Only applicants with more than 8 years of public radio editing experience will be considered.

The program is open to United States-based women journalists proposing to use digital media in innovative ways to deliver the news. A successful applicant will be dedicated to a media career, and will clearly demonstrate how her project furthers the role of women in digital news media. In addition, she will provide a business plan that demonstrates project sustainability, including tangible benchmarks to measure success.

Three awardees will receive grants of $20,000 each to launch digital news media projects, as well as pro-bono coaching and technical assistance to support their work.

Not stellar pay, but a great, short-term gig for someone who wants some extra holiday cash and an in with what seems like a cool organization. Must be in the general NYC area.-mia

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Here's a pretty sweet job opportunity with Electric Literature, a publishing house in Brooklyn, New York. If interested, please feel free to be in touch asap with my colleague, Chloe Plaunt, at chloe@electricliterature.com.

Electric Literature is creating audio maps of the world that will be available for free to anyone with a mobile phone. They will be filled with stories and oral histories of people's lives, notable places, and relevant facts. We need a top notch, hard working, blazingly fast Pro Tools editor to help us from now to the end of December edit audio before the launch. The job is full time, $10 per hour – 40 hours per week, plus overtime. Electric Literature is the start-up publishing company The Washington Post called "a refreshingly bold act ofoptimism." Our mission is to use new media and innovative distribution to keep storytelling a vital force in popular culture. We have over 150,000 followers on Twitter and are successfully expanding our audience through YouTube videos, iPhone and iPad apps, micro-serializing stories over Twitter, and other ways of using new technology and mediums to redefine what it means to “publish” in the digital age.

Hey folks. The next Science Literacy Workshop is happening in April 2011 in Berkeley, CA. I did this workshop a couple years ago and it was FANTASTIC! Meet fabulous producers from all over the country and learn a ton about science and telling science stories. I'm happy to answer any specific questions you might have. Deadline is December 10. Go for it! Best,Mia

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The next Science Literacy Workshop is scheduled to be held the week of April 10 – April 16, 2011.The application Deadline is December 10, 2011.

The Science Literacy Project workshop is an intensive, six-day training opportunity for mid-career public radio producers and reporters.

Through lectures, group discussion, Q & A, written handouts, and lots of audio demos, this two-day class will explore the ins and outs of creating a long-form radio documentary. Designed to meet the needs of mid-level producers, this seminar will also be accessible to individuals who have little or no experience in radio production.

Compelling audio documentary incorporates a creative weave of elements including narration, interviews, music, vérité scenes, character portraits, dramatizations, performances, archival tape and ambience beds. Students learn how these elements serve to paint a picture in sound.

Emphasis will be put on the production process. To this end, the class will examine the steps of concept development, research, pre-production, recording techniques, interviewing, writing, organizing tape, scripting, editing and mixing required to create an audio documentary.

Most importantly, we will focus on the art of storytelling. We will discuss dramatic structure, taking the listener through introduction, development and resolution of a story. And we will explore how character development brings the listener to the heart of the story.

The Teacher:

Claire Schoen is a media producer, with a special focus on documentary radio. As a producer/director, she has created over 20 long-form radio documentaries and several documentary films, as well as numerous short works. As a sound designer she has recorded, edited and mixed sound for film, video, radio, webstory, museums and theater productions. Her radio documentaries have garnered numerous awards including NFCB Golden and Silver reels, two Gracies, two Clarion awards and a New York International Festival Silver. She has also shared in both a Peabody and a DuPont-Columbia.

Claire has taught documentary radio scriptwriting and production at numerous venues including U.C. Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism, Duke University’s Center for Documentary Studies, Third Coast Audio Festival Conferences and AIR's mentorship program.

Hey NYC audio folks. Free pro-tools demo at the Puck Building in NYC this Thursday at 6pm. Their new software promises lots of goodies. Check it out!-miaPS: Warning – the new PT is more expensive, but supposedly more flexible than the earlier versions. Go see for yourself.

See the new Pro Tools family live in person and open yourself to the possibilities.

Come out and see the new Avid® Pro Tools® family—live at an event near you. Meet our Pro Tools experts as they take you through all the exciting things you can do with the new line-up:

• Work the way you want—with more than ever—using Pro Tools 9• Get the benefits of Pro Tools HD in a native solution with Pro Tools|HD Native• Hear what you’ve been missing with the Pro Tools HD Series interfaces • Expand your mixing options with the Artist Series and Pro Series (formerly Euphonix) controllers/consoles• Elevate recording with the all-new Pro Tools Mbox® family

Join the fun and test-drive the latest gear in our workstations, get your questions answered, and mingle with your peers over hors d’oeuvres and refreshments.

Hey folks. Get in on a brand new global affairs radio program based out of WAMU in DC. They're taking pitches now for their pilot and if all goes well it will get much, much bigger. Contact Andrea at awenzel@wamu.orgfor more details.Best,Mia ++++++++++++++++

Attached is a list of upcoming program themes for WAMU's global affairs program-in-development, Latitudes. We are currently producing a series of pilots to run starting in January. Fingers crossed it will be a weekly program in the future.

We're seeking pitches from freelance producers around the globe and country– sound-rich features–narrated or non-narrated, essays, essays with tape, short interviews or vox, almost anything really. These will then be woven into in-studio discussions/interviews on the given themes. Please note deadlines for pitching stories on some themes are very soon.

Full disclaimer, in this start-up phase, our rates are modest. Please contact me for details, and any other questions.

If you're getting this, it's because I thought you or people you know might be interested (or I bumped into you at the Third Coast Conference!). If you'd rather not get these messages please let me know (they should be infrequent). If you know others who might be interested, please forward along.

Latitudes is looking for story ideas for the following themes. If you have a pitch that doesn’t quite fit, send it along. Latitudes seekssolutions-oriented stories—people with interesting ideas or projectsthat aim to make an impact. We’re also seeking ideas that make local-global connections. Please note the pitch deadlines for each theme.

Pluralism and preventing communal conflict—As the USstruggles with an upsurge of ‘Islamaphobia’, this program will examine efforts in other countries to encourage cross-communal tolerance—from India to the UK, and closer to home.[DEADLINE: 11/8/10]

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Global parenting- From maternity/paternity leave to affordable day-care and more, an exploration of global programs andprojects to help parents. [DEADLINE: 11/15/10]

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Urban agriculture- As the world becomes increasingly urban,this program looks at efforts to bring a bit of the farm to the city. Honeybees in Iraq and the US, visions for fruit orchards indowntown Detroit, and more. [DEADLINE 11/17/10]

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Cancer in developing countries- Cancer is a major cause ofdeath in many developing countries, but for most in these same countries, treatment is not an option for all but the elite fewable to travel abroad. Now some doctors and health advocatesare making plans to change this, arguing what has been doneto address HIV treatment could work similarly with cancer. [DEADLINE 11/22/10]

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Down the toilet- For many, basic sanitation is not something totake for granted. This program looks at what a difference a toiletcan make… from communal toilets to compost toilets… to the difference access can make for women living in slums who haveto wait until nightfall to go to the toilet. [DEADLINE 11/29/10]

Hey CA producers. SoundVision Productions is looking for two new hires, one full time and one part time. I've attended one of their Science Literacy workshops and can vouch for their talent and professionalism – plus they produce some really phenomenal radio. Details attached and pasted below.

Good luck!-mia

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SoundVision Productions® is looking for a managing editor/senior producer for The Public Radio Energy Project (working title), an integrated, cross-platform journalism initiative that will use community projects, concept art and other public engagement means to extend informal education about the science, technology, engineering, and social context of energy and to tap community knowledge for innovation. This is a two-year position, based in Berkeley, California. The Public Radio Energy Project is funded by the National Science Foundation.

The managing editor/senior producer will be responsible for leading a small editorial staff as well as freelance writers, reporters, editors and producers. The ME/SP will work in conjunction with other team leaders overseeing the technical, digital, outreach, community engagement, research, evaluation, development & marketing areas.

Looking to fill as soon as possible.

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SoundVision Productions® is looking for a Digital Media Producer/Social Media Coordinator for The Public Radio Energy Project (working title). Thispart-time, two year position is located in the San Francisco Bay area. Start date is as soon as possible.

The Public Radio Energy Project is an integrated, cross-platform journalism initiative that will use community projects, concept art and other public engagement means to extend informal education about the science, technology, engineering, and social context of energy and to tap community knowledge for innovation. The Public Radio Energy Project is funded by the National Science Foundation.

This is a unique opportunity for the right person who lives for the Internet yet needs the flexibility of a part-time position.

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SoundVision Productions Managing Editor/Senior Producer

SoundVision Productions® is looking for a managing editor/senior producer for The Public Radio Energy Project (working title), an integrated, cross-platform journalism initiative that will use community projects, concept art and other public engagement means to extend informal education about the science, technology, engineering, and social context of energy and to tap community knowledge for innovation. This is a two-year position, based in Berkeley, California.The Public Radio Energy Project is funded by the National Science Foundation.

The managing editor/senior producer will be responsible for leading a small editorial staff as well as freelance writers, reporters, editors and producers. The ME/SP will work in conjunction with other team leaders overseeing the technical, digital, outreach, community engagement, research, evaluation, development & marketing areas.

Looking to fill as soon as possible.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have experience in:

Shaping and developing an hour of public broadcast programming such as documentaries, news magazines, or series;

Covering or managing coverage of energy/environmental science;

Producing, editing or reporting broadcast features;

Managing a diverse group of media professionals, including independents and freelancers;

Digital technologies including social networking.

The characteristics of the ideal candidate are:

Ability to generate benchmarks and deadlines and motivate team members to meet them;

Ability to transform the mission of the project into a process that keeps everyone moving forward;

Detail-oriented yet flexible;

Leadership, collegiality, calm under pressure, and a sense of humor.

Excellent writing and communication skills.

Duties include

Maintain and communicate SoundVision's editorial vision of sound journalism values, quality production and accuracy in science;

Please submit cover letter and resume/cv with links to three examples of your work, with a description of your specific role in each, to jobs@svproductions.org.Write editor/producer in the subject line.No phone calls, faxes or snail mail.Candidates invited to the next round will be contacted.

SoundVision has more than a decade of experience in producing exceptionally substantive, impact-oriented science journalism.Its NPR-distributed series The DNA Files won numerous awards and aired internationally.SoundVision produces The Really Big Questions with NPR’s Lynn Neary,which explores the dynamic boundary between science and the humanities and achieved wide carriage. SoundVision also conducts the annual Science Literacy Workshop, a weeklong science and production training for public radio producers, reporters and editors.

SoundVision Productions® is looking for a Digital Media Producer/Social Media Coordinator for The Public Radio Energy Project (working title). This part-time, two year position is located in the San Francisco Bay area.Start date is as soon as possible.

The Public Radio Energy Project is an integrated, cross-platform journalism initiative that will use community projects, concept art and other public engagement means to extend informal education about the science, technology, engineering, and social context of energy and to tap community knowledge for innovation. The Public Radio Energy Project is funded by the National Science Foundation.

This is a unique opportunity for the right person who lives for the Internet yet needs the flexibility of a part-time position.

Qualifications

Degree in journalism with an online or multimedia emphasis or equivalent experience;

Social media aficionado who lives and breathes all things digital and loves learning new technologies;

Extreme familiarity with multiple blogging programs;

Ability to adapt to changes in equipment, software and workflow;

Willing to explore or develop new methods for creating and distributing digital content;

Excellent storyteller and writer experienced with video and audio recording, editing and production;

Basic skills with Photoshop, iMovie, Final Cut, Pro Tools, Flash and other similar or complementary software;

Familiarity with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint);

Interest in science in general and energy science in particular;

Able to work independently and as part of a team;

Cool and efficient under deadline pressure;

A sense of humor.

The successful candidate for this hybrid position will be responsible for:

Please submit cover letter and resume/cv to jobs@svproductions.org.Write digital in the subject line.No phone calls, faxes or snail mail for this digital position.Candidates invited to the next round will be contacted.

SoundVision has more than a decade of experience in producing exceptionally substantive, impact-oriented science journalism.Its NPR-distributed series The DNA Files won numerous awards and aired internationally.SoundVision produces The Really Big Questions with NPR’s Lynn Neary,which explores the dynamic boundary between science and the humanities and achieved wide carriage. SoundVision also conducts the annual Science Literacy Workshop, a weeklong science and production training for public radio producers, reporters and editors.

Justine Sharrock, an investigative journalist, writes for Mother Jones, Alternet, and San Francisco magazine. Her 2010 portrait of U.S. soldiers is "an eye-opening exposé of America’s torture regime."

“Powerful and important. Justine Sharrock talks to soldiers whose patriotic duty was warped by the Bush administration, making torturers out of ordinary men and women. A must-read for all Americans concerned by the corrosive impact of the Bush administration’s “War on Terror” policies on the US military.” –Andy Worthington, journalist and author of The Guantanamo Files

Debra Sweet, reporting from Berkeley Says NO to Torture Week, October 2010: "Justine read from her book about Chris Arendt, an anarchist, Jack Kerouac-reading punk from the Midwest who somehow ended up in a National Guard unit sent to Guantanamo. As he learned the pattern of detainee abuse, like the “frequent flyer” program where detainees were moved every few hours to a different cell for months, he began folding the order forms into origami birds which spilled over his whole desk. Then he tried to kill himself."